"Well," Clark began typing into his computer,
"Where to begin! You were born on Earth?"
"Yes," Superboy answered. "Of course I can't say
where. That would be a clue to my identity. But I was born here
on Earth."
"Then, your mother was an Earth woman?" Clark
continued.
"Yes," Superboy answered. "My father met her
during one of his adventures. They became friends. I can't
describe her, other than to say she is very beautiful, and, very
intelligent!"
"She would have to be!" Clark remarked. "Everyone
is curious why you wear a mask. Superman doesn't."
"Superman," Superboy answered, "has a special
hypnotic power that causes people not to recognize him if they
see him in his other identity. I did not inherit that power,
therefore I must conceal my face so people will not know my other
identity."
"Why must you keep your other identity a secret?" Clark
asked.
"For the same reason that Superman must," Superboy
answered, "so that evil people will not be able to threaten
those close to him to keep him from fighting them. Look at the
trouble the world is having now, with religious fanatics taking
people hostage trying to force them to obey their wishes. Those I
am close to must be protected."
"Absolutely!" Clark agreed. "Do you have the rest
of Superman's abilities?"
"Yes," Superboy answered. "Of course I am not
quite as strong as him yet, or, as fast, nor, can I hear as well
or, see as well. But my powers are increasing. And by the time I
am an adult I will have his full capabilities."
"From what we've seen thusfar," Clark put in, "you
seem to be quite capable! They say you caught a bullet fired by a
police officer and crushed a man's pistol like it was clay,
ripped a bomb off a suicide bomber, and hurled it away, returning
the man safely! Some people thought you were hurt during that
incident. Is that true?"
"Just a slight bruise," Superboy answered,
"nothing serious. As I said, I'm not quite as invulnerable
as Superman yet, but I'm getting there! Oh, I should mention I'm
not as susceptible to Kryptonite as he is. I can stand several
minutes of exposure to it without any harm. A small advantage my
mother gave me!"
"We can only call that a precious gift!" Clark
commented. "I won't even bother to ask how old you are.
We'll let people guess. I'd say seven or eight."
"Yes," Superboy agreed. "That is something we're
going to have to let people guess at."
"So you're living in Metropolis," Clark continued.
"Yes," Superboy answered. "This is where my father
operates from. I wish to be near. I think there's enough children
my age around here that people will have a hard enough time
trying to figure out who I am."
Superboy looked away. "Excuse me," he commented,
"I think something has arisen I should deal with."
"Thank you for this interview!" Clark answered.
Superboy rose, rapidly crossed the newsroom, shot through Perry's
office and out the window. Not far away a woman was screaming in
a burning car that had been rear ended by the drunk driver of a
delivery truck. People were trying to fight the fire with fire
extinguishers. Superboy arrived, in moments freed the woman from
the car, then picked up the car and hurled it into the river. The
truck driver exited his vehicle and tried to disappear into the
crowd. Superboy grabbed him, pulled him back to his truck, ripped
up part of the fender, wrapped it around his arm, and with his
heat vision welded it.
"Hey!" the man screamed.
"The fire department can free you," Superboy snapped,
"when they get here. But the police are going to want to
talk to you. I'll retrieve your car ma'am and put it on the dock
by Hartford Recovery. I'll have them summon the police."
"Thank you!" the woman praised. Superboy shot away as
the crowd cheered. One man in the crowd commented "I think
this community just got twice as safe!"
Everybody around him nodded in agreement. Back in The Daily
Planet Jimmy Olsen arrived at Clark's desk.
"Damn!" he sighed, "I heard Superboy was here. I
wanted to get a picture." "Don't worry," Clark
assured him, "he'll be back!"
"You and Miss Lane have the luck!" Olsen commented.
"You two sure have the luck!"
"Yes we do!" Clark agreed, "Yes we do!"